OK now airlines are leaving airports (some of which has been in those airports for several decades...Delta left Oakland after being in the airport since the 40's), airlines are going out of business (remember when 3 or 4 went outta business the same week?!?), they are now charging for sodas (What in the world?!?) and the topper is now some airlines (ehm United and US Airways) is charging to check not the second bag, but the first (faints). Check out a story on CNN about all the extra fees hereWhat in the world is going on?Well the usual! BUYER BEWARE! If anyone is telling you they can get you a good price on a flight, RUN! There is no way that is going to happen. What you can do is your due diligence and be a proactive consumer. Check sites like Orbitz.com and your favorite airline's website and sign up for their emails. They may have special promotions that will save you some cash.Also I was reading O back in March and I found a site thats where interesting. Its called http://www.yapta.com Your Amazing Personal Travel AssistantWhat it does is check of your choice of airlines and if the fare on a flight you might be interested in drops, you get a email alert so that you can make a purchase. Already bought your ticket? Then if you put in your confirmation number, you will notified if the price drops so that you can get in touch with the airline and request a refund.Cool huh? Good luck in your search!
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An affiliate marketer may have all the things needed for him to be able to succeed in a business such as affiliate marketing. He may have the necessary drive, diligence and perseverance to be able to understand how the system works. He may have all the tools necessary in maintaining the business, including a really unique and interesting website which could earn him a fortune if only the whole world could see it. However, all these would prove useless if he does not know how to drive traffic to his website. His business would sink into oblivion together with all the sales, fortune and dreams that he might have realized if he only knew how to do this particular task.Getting people who matter to see one’s website is a difficult undertaking if he tries to consider the fact that there are rivals everywhere waiting to pin him down. The immensity of the internet as well as the affiliate marketing world has given birth to the fierce competition between affiliate marketers, each of whom has his own great product to offer. With all the websites piling on top of each other, how would one be able to stand out? The seven best ways to drive laser-targeted traffic to one’s own website would help those who are bent on sticking it out with this business wherever it is bound to take them.The first step in driving traffic to one’s website is by relying on search engines and what they can do for the affiliate marketer concerned. Because they are popular for driving free targeted traffic, they should not be ignored by all means. Having top search engine rankings is vital in building popularity links, and the use of the right keywords is important in attaining this goal. Once a website is on top of the list, it is easily accessible to anyone who wants to see it for himself.The second way in driving traffic to one’s website is by contacting other webmasters for a possible link exchange partnership. Locating websites that are related to one’s own website is the primary task. Once there, he should be able to establish communication by personalizing everything as much as possible. It is then possible to make reciprocal link exchanges between webmasters whichever way the affiliate marketer prefers.The third way is through writing one’s own articles. This is an effective way in promoting a website, because good content that are appreciated by readers will lead them to visit the writer’s very own website out of sheer interest.The fourth way is through joint venture marketing. This is one of the most effective ways of promoting a product or a service. Having a partner through ad swap or link exchange is beneficial to both parties as it allows them to reach a wide customer base in a short amount of time.The fifth is through joining affiliate programs. Having affiliates to do the work means allowing them to bring tons of traffic to a website. Skyrocketing sales would be realized as a result, and both the affiliate and the website owner will benefit from the situation.The sixth is by having a list of subscribers that one can refer to every so often, because they are those which would prove to be valuable assets for the marketer concerned. The use of autoresponders and personalized newsletters is one way of keeping track of them all, and holding on to them by letting them know about new products and services is an essential task that should be done by the affiliate marketer concerned.The seventh is by knowing one’s market through and through. It is important for traffic to be targeted to those who might have a special interest in the theme or topic of one’s website. This way, a solid customer base is going to be created. Once a potential customer shows an interest in a particular website by paying it a visit, one must not waste time in trying to show him that his effort is worth it.Traffic generating strategies are important in trying to make one’s affiliate marketing career inch forward. It is always advantageous to plan one’s moves in any business that he might undertake. This is particularly so in affiliate marketing. If one knows how to get people to see what he has to offer, then he is on the right track.Lisa SimpkinsFreemanResearch Advertising PortalRead more…
A Frugal Mindset Is Money In the BankFor Indies, financial success is about stretching every penny to cover as much as possible, both on the home front and the business front. Frugal principles are not complicated, but because they intersect with our emotional connection to money, they can be difficult to implement.Growing up, my parents taught me very little about money. In my years as a corporate attorney, money flowed freely from my employer's account to mine, and then on to fabulous vacations, expensive dinners out, trendy clothes and extravagant gifts. Until I became a small business owner, I was never really concerned with the fact that, at some point, money actually runs out.Fast forward to 2000, when I started this business and officially enrolled in my first semester at the School of Financial Hard Knocks. Since then, I have taken small steps every year to keep more of the money I make. I do this by minimizing credit card use, couponing like nobody's business and keeping track of every penny.Every time I get a dollar, I do one of four specific things with it: spend it, save it, invest it or donate it. Whatever I do, I have to fit it into one of those categories and I am very intentional about doing so. I make it a point to improve my financial habits every day so I never return to my oblivious days of spending without thinking.Since I work with lots of people who are trying to make a success of small business, but who have not developed a frugal mindset, I turned to personal financial representative and fellow Indie Chris Buford to tell me 3 things Indie Business owners must do in order to turn from their spendthrift ways.1. Squeeze Out Every Tax Deduction. Chris says that the corporate tax rate is one of the highest tax rates there is, considering that income, property and capital gains are all heavily taxed. "The best way to offset these taxes is to squeeze out every possible business deduction you can find," say Chris.My accountant, Robin Herrick, CPA, PA, agrees. She makes sure every single business expense is properly identified and accounted for. In this way, not even a small deduction slips through the cracks.2. Ditch "Extra Money" Thinking. It's human nature to think that, when we come into some unexpected cash, it's "extra money," and we are free to run out and spend it on some short term fulfillment. This mindset is encouraged by the messages we get daily now, to take our tax rebate checks to the nearest department or home improvement store and spend spend spend.Chris says that's a decidedly bad idea. "Whether it's a stimulus check or a tax refund, any unexpected cash should be used to get a long term return, either by investing the money or using it to pay down debt." This is especially true if the money is a tax refund. "It's already your money, which the government kept all year long and interest free," he says. Debt directly inhibits the creation of wealth, says Chris, so it's especially important to eliminate it.3. Cut Costs. With fuel and food costs rising, people are spending less. "This means that small business owners must cut back without compromising the integrity of goods and services," says Chris.Of course saving wherever and whenever you can should be the goal all year every year, not just in a down economy. "Outsourcing things you don't have to do yourself, cutting down on overnight shipments, cutting down on hours of operation and anything to save resources must be implemented," says Chris.So there you have it, a sort of Indie Business Mantra. Every day, repeat after me.What are my tax deductions today?There's no such thing as "extra money."How can I accomplish this goal for less?What about you?Do you have some savvy small business financial advice to offer, or a money mantra that works for you? If so, please share it in the comments section below.About ChrisChris Buford is a personal financial representative with Allstate. He is a husband, father of 3 and seasoned real estate investor who helps families and small businesses expand their personal and business portfolios by implementing specific strategies to achieve their financial goals.For more small business money tips, subscribe to Indie Business Blog today.Related PostsThe Best Credit CardFive Ways to Recession-Proof Your BusinessAsk Not What the Economy Can Do For You
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Basic Principles For The 21st CenturyNow that the first quarter is over, don't miss the opportunity to makeyour lifestyle recession-proof.This event will provide you with simple steps to secure your financial future.Be the first to acquire innovative techniques to secure your financial stability.Where: Owen Brown Community Center6800 Cradlerock WayColumbia, MD 21045410-309-4052When: Saturday, April 19, 2008Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Cost: The registration fee has been waivedRegister by responding to this email or call 410-309-4052.Once we reach full capacity your name will be placed on a waiting list.SEATING IS LIMITED.This seminar will equip you with answers to long standing questions like:o Is my 401K okay?o What I don’t know, can cost me?o Is my cash flow clogged?o Are foreclosures, bankruptcies and layoffsa threat to my lifestyle?o Is there a hole in my cash bucket?o What’s really in my wallet?o Is my money system ordinary or extraordinary?What’s the difference?o Do I need a midlife money management makeover?We hear the conversations and the questions.That’s why we have extended this personal invitation for you tojoin us for this life changing experience.Register today to explore Basic Principles For The 21st Century.All who attend will have an opportunity to win a $100.00 GAS CARD,a Money Making Website training.PLUS!Ask about the 4-day vacation in sunny Myrtle Beach, S.C.Make room in your schedule right now to attend.Successfully,Carl and Val McKoyCertified Prosperity Partners(410)309-4051v.mckoy@yahoo.comcz_mckoy@yahoo.com
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How is Ministry and business going? I have just completed compiling a 483 page manual that will show you step by step how to write grant proposals as well as give you over 400 pages of agencies that actually give grants to for profit and non-profit organizations. Now is the time to tap into where the funds are, while they are still available. The cost is 39.95 plus 5.00 shipping and handling to have it shipped or you can download it as an e-book for 39.95 which will also include April Masons latest e-book " How to Establish your business Credit without using your personal credit" . Contact me at prophetesscross@yahoo.com. Here is the link to download the e-book
"Prophetess Allison J. CrossFire and Rain Ministriesemail: prophetesscross@yahoo.comphone: 231-343-2511Read more…
